Speech #880146322

During the past 2 years. and largely as a result of increased imports. beef prices have dropped to the extent of causing a loss of $170 million to American producers. In the face of this problem. livestock producers appealed to the Government for assistance. Government help could be in the form of duties levied on meat imports. quota restrictions on beef imports and/or expanded export opportunities in Europe. In this connection. it is interesting to note that the United States is the only open market in the world for beef imports. All of our friends in Europe have established some sort of restriction or barrier to stop or limit imported beef into their countries.